Season plot summary

After having opened the Hatch at the end of Season 1, it is revealed to be a research station, which has running water and electricity, is well stocked with food, and has a 1970s era computer, which, according to its previous occupant, Desmond, must have the Numbers4, 8, 15, 16, 23, and 42 typed into it every 108 minutes, or "the world will end." The computer was broken during the first foray into the Swan station, and Desmond flees, expecting impending doom. Sayid, however, was able to fix the computer.

The survivors debate whether or not to trust Desmond's instructions, but set up shifts to keep watch and enter the numbers, having repaired the computer. They gradually learn through bits of filmstrip that what they had previously referred to as "the Hatch" is actually the "Swan station", one of several different DHARMA Initiative stations present on the Island. Shannon, while searching for Vincent the night the Hatch is opened, stumbles upon Walt, who, soaking wet and speaking backwards, appears and disappears right before her very eyes. Shannon believes something happened to the rafters, and her suspicions are confirmed when Claire and Shannon find the bottle of messages the rafters took with them to give to the mainland, washed up on the beach.

Sawyer and Michael create a makeshift raft from floating wreckage after the attack on their raft, the disappearance of Jin, and abduction of Walt. The currents push them back to the Island, where they encounter a panicked Jin, and then the tail section survivors, who are led by Ana Lucia, and include Libby and Mr. Eko. Ana Lucia initially directs that they be held captive, but they eventually reconcile, and head to the other side of the Island to reunite with the rest of the survivors. Meanwhile, Shannon receives yet another visit from Walt and realizes that something has happened to him and insists to Sayid that he needs her help. Shannon and Vincent go through the jungle to find Walt. Sayid tracks her down and tries to stop her. She breaks down and tells him that he's going to abandon her, just like everyone else in her life. After they admit their love for each other and reconcile, Shannon sees Walt once again in the jungle, talking backwards. She runs after him. A startled Ana Lucia mistakes Shannon for one of The Others. She fires a shot and kills Shannon. The experience of the tail section survivors on the Island is explored, and it is revealed that The Others kidnapped a total of 12 members of their group, which had been infiltrated by Goodwin. The two communities merge under awkward circumstances as Sayid is heartbroken that Shannon has died. Ana Lucia, who feels guilty about Shannon's death, feels uncomfortable among the group and like an outcast. She eventually befriends Jack and gains the acceptance of Sayid, who finally admits that Shannon's death was not of her fault, but he instead blames The Others.

Claire wrestles with the decision of whether or not to trust Charlie, who at one point suffers delusions that he has to protect the baby, but ends up endangering the child. There is some doubt on whether he is using the drugs found at the Beechcraft, however he eventually keeps his distance. Charlie takes Eko to the plane, and he grieves over the death of his brother, who was on the very same plane. This inspires Eko to have faith in the island and what it has in store for him, and he begins building a church on the island to repay his debt to Yemi.

The Others become a more visible presence in this season. One prominent Other, Tom (the man from the raft who took Walt), tells the survivors, "This is not your island, this is our island, and the only reason you're living on it is because we let you live on it." Later, when the baby falls ill, Claire explores the Staff for medicine, another DHARMA station, and it is revealed that Tom's beard is fake; the Others may be lying about their true nature.

Rousseau captures a man who identifies himself as "Henry Gale, from Minnesota", another castaway on the Island who had crashed there by balloon. The survivors doubt his story, particularly Sayid, who holds him captive in The Swan and brutally interrogates him as he places the blame on them for Shannon's death.

Locke, who became trapped in the living area of the Swan during a strange "lockdown" procedure before he could enter the number codes, asks Henry Gale to enter them by crawling through the air vents. As the countdown reaches zero, a map appears on a blast door, detailing an arrangement of stations on the Island. Later, Gale claims to have never entered the code as everything returned to normal. When faced, however, with proof of his deception (the ID of the real Henry Gale), "Gale" admits that he is indeed one of "The Others". The event, however, tarnishes Locke's faith in the whole system, and in the Island itself.

Following dreams and the blast door map, Eko and Locke discover the central "?"(Pearl) station, which appears to be a station designed to observe the occupants of the other stations. Due to this observation of the Swan station, Locke believes that entering the Numbers is merely a psychological experiment. This puts Locke into a crisis of faith, but seems to make Eko even more sure of what he must do (entering the numbers).

Michael continues to seek his kidnapped son, Walt. After having communicated with him on the Swan's computer, he leaves the survivors to chase after his son, but is captured. Arriving at a collection of huts that seem to be the Others' camp, he is allowed to spend three minutes with his son. The Others let Michael go, promising him Walt back, if he frees Henry, and brings Jack, Kate, Sawyer, and Hurley back to their camp. He returns to The Swan, kills Ana Lucia and Libby, frees Henry, and shoots himself in the shoulder, making it appear that Henry committed the murders and escaped. During the two survivors' memorial, Desmond returns to the Island in his sailboat.

Michael convinces Jack, Kate, Sawyer, and Hurley to join him in a raid against "The Others" to rescue Walt, but Sayid believes that Michael is leading the four into a trap. His plan is to use Desmond's sailboat to approach The Others' camp by water. He enlists the aid of Jin, who knows how to sail, and Sun, to translate. (Sun, earlier in the season, is revealed to be pregnant, even though Jin is infertile).

Despite Jack's foreknowledge of Michael's plans, The Others ambush and capture them. Henry, who turns out to be The Others' leader, fulfills the deal, freeing Michael and Walt and giving them a boat. Hurley is freed and instructed to go back to his camp to tell the other survivors that they may never go back there.

In the meantime, Sayid, Sun and Jin, arrive at The Others' camp, which has been abandoned. They start a signal fire, and wait for Jack and his party to rendezvous with them.

Locke and Desmond take over the The Swan station from Eko and prevent him from entering the Numbers at the appointed time. Both of them argue over the validity of the threat until the last minute when Desmond realizes the last time the code was not put through was the day of the plane crash, explaining that the magnetism from the station was the cause of the crash. When the timer reaches zero, a great magnetic field erupts. Desmond goes to the system termination station under the floor, which he activates by turning the key. The immediate result is not shown, but the entire island is enveloped by a white-violet light and a shrill humming sound.

The season ends with a scene of a cramped polar research station where two men excitedly notice what appears to be the anomaly, and they proceed to phone Desmond's old fiancée, Penelope, to tell her that they have "found it".

Many of the character's lives before the crash continue to be explored, and they are detailed here:

Sun Kwon is a housewife from Korea, and before meeting Jin, was introduced to a man named Jae Lee by her mother. However, when her marriage with Jin deteriorates and she discovers he is infertile, she begins English lessons with Jae.

Shannon Rutherford was the daughter of a successful rich man named Adam Rutherford, who was killed in a car crash. Shannon, only 18 at the time, was heartbroken. Trying to get into a posh dance school, Shannon went to her stepmother to get money from her father's will. Her stepmother insists there was no money left for her. Shannon goes it alone, while her stepbrother offers her money, she doesn't accept and insists that she'll get the money she deserves her own way.

Ana Lucia Cortez was a police officer in the LAPD, that was once shot in the stomach, rendering her unable to have children and killing her unborn child and driving away her boyfriend. Ana found revenge by killing the man responsible, but had to run to Australia with a man when her mother discovers what she's done.

Eko Tunde is a Nigerian warlord who desperately tries to convince his brother to help him transport drugs out of the country. After Yemi's disappearance, Eko moves to London where he becomes a priest to follow in his brother's footsteps and investigates a miracle.

Charlie Pace is a rock star based in Great Britain, and when his brother starts to provide for his new family in Sydney, Charlie is left alone in London to fend for himself after the band reaches an all-time low.

Rose and Bernard Nadler are a married couple from New York. Although they met seven months before the crash, they agreed to marry when Bernard agreed to stay with Rose during her cancer, even bringing her to a healer in Australia.

Desmond Hume is a Scotsman who was engaged to Penny Widmore before being incarcerated in prison. Desmond entered her father's race around the world to earn his respect, but was stranded on the island and has lived in the hatch ever since.

Note 1: Claire Littleton received a flashback episode in "Maternity Leave", however it was after the crash.
Note 2: Libby Smith, although a main character, was devoid of a flashback episode dedicated to her and her alone.

Destination Lost

ABC once again invites new and avid "Lost" viewers to take another look at one of the most talked about shows. "Destination Lost" will explore the series in a way that will bring new viewers up to date -- but which current viewers will also find illuminating -- in anticipation of the series' second season premiere. From the back stories of some of the most interesting characters on television to the mysteries of the Island, "Destination Lost" will provide an insightful glimpse into the lives of some of the survivors of the doomed Oceanic Airlines flight 815. Narrated in a linear fashion and culminating from the pieces of the back stories told over multiple episodes in the series, "Destination Lost" focuses on the flashbacks of a core of characters -- illustrating who they were and what they were doing before the crash, and how the Island has changed their lives, for better or worse. In addition, the Island itself will be explored - culled from events that have taken place - which may reveal some of its secrets that might have been missed upon first viewing.
ABC

Plot:One of the castaways is chosen to descend into the hatch, and Shannon stumbles upon a shockingly familiar face in the jungle. The band of friends, family, enemies and strangers must continue to work together against the cruel weather and harsh terrain if they want to stay alive. But, as they have discovered during their 40-plus days on the Island, danger and mystery loom behind every corner, and those they thought could be trusted may turn against them.

Adrift

Plot: With the abduction of Walt fresh on their minds and their raft destroyed, Michael, Sawyer and Jin fight for their lives and discover a new predator in the roiling ocean. Meanwhile on land, Locke must descend into the Hatch when one castaway goes missing inside.

Orientation

Plot:Jack, Locke and Kate learn more secrets about the Hatch. Meanwhile, after being beaten and taken captive, Sawyer, Michael and Jin wonder if their captors are fellow survivors or the dreaded "Others".

Plot: Disturbing memories from Hurley's past cause him to struggle with a task he's assigned inside the Hatch. Meanwhile Sawyer, Michael and Jin discover the identities of their captors, and Claire uncovers a shocking piece of information about the fate of the raft.

Plot:Michael sets off into the jungle by himself determined to find Walt, but discovers that he is not alone. Meanwhile, Sawyer and Jin are ordered by their captors to take them to their camp, and Sun frantically searches for her missing wedding ring.

Plot:Sawyer's wound becomes life-threatening as he, Michael and Jin make their way through the interior of the Island with the tail section survivors. Meanwhile, Shannon is once again haunted by visions of Walt, and Charlie becomes jealous of Locke's interest in Claire.

What Kate Did

Plot:Kate's original crime that started her life on the run is revealed. Meanwhile, the survivors lay one of their own to rest, Kate sleeplessly watches over a feverish Sawyer, and Mr. Eko has a surprise for Locke regarding the Hatch.

Lost: Revelation

Since the beginning, Lost has mystified and intrigued viewers with its interesting characters and unique style of storytelling. Season One dealt with the fuselage survivors, the Hatch and a failed attempt to get off the Island. Season Two continues these stories and also introduces viewers to the survivors of the tail section. "Lost: Revelation" puts these two seasons together in a linear fashion that provides an illuminating view on one compelling story. See the sequence of the aftermath of the failed raft attempt, the opening of the Hatch, how the tail section and fuselage survivors lived separately and the unwitting intersections of their lives, and how both groups ultimately collided in one catastrophic moment. "Lost: Revelation" offers new and avid viewers a fresh perspective, comprehensive and enlightening, in one of television's most intriguing series.
ABC

Plot:Mr. Eko interrogates Charlie about the Virgin Mary statue, Claire begins to lose faith in Charlie when she discovers his secret, and Jack is an interested observer when Kate gives the recovering Sawyer a much-needed haircut.

Plot:Jack, Locke and Sawyer pursue a determined Michael after he heads into the jungle toward the dreaded "Others" in search of Walt. Meanwhile, Sun has a surprising reaction to Jin's desire to join the search party, and Hurley and Charlie commiserate over the age-old conundrum of "what women want".

Plot: When Rousseau leads Sayid to a mysterious captive in the jungle, he becomes determined to find out if he is one of "The Others". Meanwhile, Sawyer discovers Hurley's potentially devastating breech of the survivors' trust and blackmails him into helping track an elusive island creature that won't leave Sawyer alone.

Plot: A desperate Claire, along with Kate and Rousseau, attempts a return to the scene of her kidnapping where she believes she might find the cure for Baby Aaron's mysterious illness. Meanwhile, Jack and Locke must keep their prisoner a secret from the rest of the survivors. This episode is unique in that all of Claire's flashbacks were her experiences on the Island while she was abducted by Ethan, not of her life before the crash.

Plot:Sun wrestles with the thought of telling Jin a newfound secret that threatens to upset the entire balance of the survivors' community. Meanwhile, Locke enlists Ana Lucia to interrogate the prisoner in order to extract more information than he, Jack or Sayid could.

Lockdown

Plot: When the Hatch suddenly takes on a life of its own, Locke is forced to enlist the help of an unlikely ally. Meanwhile, Ana Lucia, Sayid and Charlie go off into the jungle to find out the truth about Henry.

Plot:Rose is surprisingly and vehemently opposed to Bernard's plan to create an S.O.S. signal; romantic sparks are rekindled between Jack and Kate when they trek into the jungle to propose a "trade" with "The Others"; and Locke begins to question his faith in the Island.

Lost: Reckoning

The survivors of Oceanic flight 815 have been locked in a test of faith ever since they crashed on the Island. Discover how this faith has been tested for both the fuselage survivors and tailies. Are you a person of faith or science? This is the dilemma that plagues the Island survivors and also defines their character. Discover how faith in the Hatch led Locke on a mission to find a way inside, and how his discovery of Desmond led to his belief that punching in the Numbers every 108 minutes would ensure everyone's survival. In addition, Michael's dogged mission in finding Walt, the tailies fight for survival during their first 48 days through their collision with the fuselage survivors, the uncertainty of prisoner Henry Gale's allegiances, and tensions between the survivors and "The Others" have left everyone questioning what they believe in. Additionally, the healing powers of love are explored through a timid Hurley's struggle with asking Libby out on a date, through the strong bond between Sun and Jin, and through Jack and Sawyer's mutual - yet unrequited - attractions to Kate. ABC

?

Plot:Mr. Eko enlists Locke to help find a secret location he believes houses answers to the Island's mysteries. Meanwhile, Jack and the other survivors struggle to cope with the horrific situation in the Hatch.

Plot: After discovering something odd just offshore, Jack and Sayid come up with a plan to confront "The Others" and hopefully get Walt back. Meanwhile, Eko and Locke come to blows as Locke makes a potentially cataclysmic decision regarding the "button" and the Hatch.

Trivia

Jack, Sun, Locke, Hurley, Ana Lucia, Eko and Michael are the only characters who have more than one centric episode solely for themselves (not including multi-centric or two-hour episodes).

This is the last season in which every episode contains flashbacks. The third, fourth and fifth seasons all featured at least one flash-forward episode (in addition, the fifth season contained four episodes devoid of flashbacks), and the sixth season features flash sideways.